BuildMaster
 | |
| Developer(s) | Inedo |
|---|---|
| Stable release |
5.5
/ October 2016 |
| Operating system | Microsoft Windows and Linux |
| Type | Application release automation and Release management |
| License | Proprietary |
| Website | inedo.com/BuildMaster |
BuildMaster is an application release automation tool, designed by the software development team, Inedo. It combines build management and ARA capabilities to manage and automate processes primarily related to continuous integration, database change scripts, and production deployments. The tool is browser-based and able to be used “out-of-the-box”. Its feature set and scope puts it in line with the DevOps movement, and is marketed as “more than a release automation tool. It brings together the people, processes, and practices that allow teams to deliver software rapidly, reliably, and responsibly.” It’s a tool that embodies incremental DevOps adoption. [1]
BuildMaster is configured entirely through its UI, as opposed to scripts or XML-based configuration files. Although the primary web application is Windows-only, BuildMaster orchestrates Windows or Linux-based servers to perform various build and deploy actions.[2] BuildMaster also has a tight integration with PowerShell and is often used along with other DevOps tools.
Main features
The main features of BuildMaster are: [3]
- Pipelines as Code – Pivot between Visual mode and the JSON Text editor
- Global Pipeline – Reusability across releases and applications
- Database Changes – Use BuildMaster to ensure sensitive information is protected and associate connection string with environment
- Issue tracking Integration – Tight integration with variety of issue tracker and built-in including JIRA, GitHub, TFS, and YouTrack
- Pipeline Gates – Mix of manual and automated approvals that unless approved prevent advancement to next pipeline stage
- Deployment Plans – Drag-and –drop visual user interface that may also be edited in text mode (code view)
- PowerShell Integration – First class integration with PowerShell and Shell for support of both Windows and Linux.
- Event Listener – Useful for monitoring action and operations
- Configuration Variables – Add flexibility when modeling deployment plans
- Release Packages – Flexibility by uploading manually, pushed from CI server such as TeamCity or TFS, created within BuildMaster or Pushed from ProGet
- Configuration File Management - enables configuration files to be defined with multiple instances (such as one per environment) in a version-controlled manner with file deployments logged
- Continuous Integration - support for CI tools including Jenkins, TFS, and TeamCity
- Infrastructure Configuration Sync - visualize the infrastructure (servers and environments) that pipelines target
- Resource Credentials - manage, store, and control access to tokens, passwords, and API Key that are involved in deployments
Highlights
Highlights include:[4]
- A simple, plan editor that allows for code or drag and drop interface
- Intuitive UI that enables quick implementation
- Strong support for .NET applications Microsoft Windows
BuildMaster was recognized in the Gartner 2016 Magic Quadrant for Application Release Automation and critical capabilities for Application Release Automation Solutions.[5]
Development company culture
Of interest also is the corporate culture where BuildMaster was developed.[6] Its producer Inedo were cited in the creation of the software development card game Release!, and have been cited in several sources that their products are developed as much by the coding work that went into them, as the sense of community that an office gaming culture has established.[7]
References
- ↑ Cool Vendors in DevOps, 2015 (Report). Gartner. 21 April 2015.
- ↑ "BuildMaster 4.0 Release Unveils a New UI and Features" (Press release). 22 January 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
- ↑ "Core Concepts". inedo.com. inedo. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
- ↑ Market Guide for Application Release Automation Solutions (Report). Gartner. 20 July 2015.
- ↑ Magic Quadrant for Application Release Automation (Report). Gartner. 1 August 2016.
- ↑ Papadimoulis, Alex (16 June 2014). "My Month with Release!". simple Talk.
- ↑ Roach, Patrick (3 June 2014). "DevOps card game a hit on Kickstarter". DevOps.com.